I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Norma. She was a very dear friend of my Aunt Irene Bible. Irene thought the world of Norma and they were colleagues as well as very close and good friends.

Kathy Knapp

Dear Donna & Family,

I am very sorry to learn that Norma passed away suddenly.

With Deepest Sympathy

Nora

I met Norma soon after I started dating my wife Carolyn about 18 years ago. I immediately admired and appreciated her as a truly wonderful and beautiful person. I am genuinely grateful for having known her and in many ways I aspire to be more like her. “Aunt Norma” was accepting and forgiving of the flaws in others, never critical or judgemental. Norma was generous and caring and not materialistic or selfish in any way. I also admired her optimistic outlook and calm, warm demeanour even in the presence of her declining health. I always respected her opinion and enjoyed conversations with her. She had a wonderful laugh and was always a great listener. Kaitlyn and Owen loved going to Aunt Norma’s House where there was always a big enthusiastic hug and a treat of some kind waiting for them.

Thank-you Norma, we love you and miss you but will always remember you, rest in peace.

Dear Donna and Family,

We were so sorry to hear about Norma’s passing. She was a lovely lady and will be greatly missed.

Our thoughts are with you during this very sad time.

Linda and Marty

Our family is sorry to hear about Miss Bangay’s passing. She taught both of our daughters at Palgrave School and she left them both with wonderful memories of her as a teacher. Even after all the years have passed and our daughters are adults, we still speak very fondly of her. Our eldest even became and ECE teacher.

I was shocked to read the notice in today’s Toronto Star this morning, and I would like to extend my condolences to Norma’s loving family. Norma and I kept up our connection over the decades since we attended old Oakridge Public School in Scarborough. She and I both went on to become teachers, although in different parts of Ontario, but I always looked forward to her Christmas letters and cards. Several months ago another friend from our childhood, Linda Painter (nee Heyes) and I went to visit Norma, and we are very happy that we did. I went to Hungary for six weeks, and have intended to call Norma again since I returned. Indeed, for the last week or so, I thought about her often, but never at a time that was right for calling her – and now it is too late. All I can say is that Norma was a great kid, and grew into a wonderful adult. She loved her family and was proud of everyone’s accomplishments. Everyone who knew her will miss her. May she rest in peace.

Norma was the kindergarten teacher for all my children and a friend to me. She made their first year of school one that they still remember fondly, as I do as well. Norma was a calming influence on them, and a positive and encouraging teacher with a lasting influence.
I am saddened to hear about Norma’s sudden passing.
Victoria Copeland

I met Norma Bangay when I came to Palgrave Public School to teach in 1973. It soon became apparent that this soft spoken and warm hearted kindergarten teacher was the person I could go to for advice. It never mattered what time of day it was. Norma would always listen and take time to help. Norma was like that with everyone. She had a remarkable memory and could recall names of people and the countless students she had ever taught instantly. As soon as I would describe a person, Norma instantly recalled their name, even helping me to recall names of my former students. When talking to Norma just recently, she was still helping me with that. The fondest years I remember are those in the “little school” at Palgrave when Norma’s room was just down the hall and up the steps. Each of our 3 rooms in the “little school” had a separate furnace and my furnace would stop working quite often. Each time I arrived to a chilly room on a cold winter morning, Norma would instantly say, “Bring your class when they arrive up to my room.” I did just that many times and usually stayed all morning until the repairman came from the Central Board Office ‘down south’. Norma’s kindergarten class would continue with their programme as usual and I would conduct my class in a separate area of Norma’s kindergarten classroom. That was how generous Norma was. The day I am writing this is the day Norma was planning to host in her home her yearly reunion with the retired teachers from Palgrave. Instead, today I am going to her visitation at the Funeral Home. It seems unreal. I’ll so miss our Norma.

I am very saddened with Norma’s sudden passing. It was an honour for me to work with this wonderful teacher, and have her frienship and support. My sons were fortunate to have Norma as their teacher in Kindergarten. Her influence has had a lasting impact on their lives, and they remember her fondly.

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Verna Smith

Remembering our dear friend who was a vital part of the Palgrave staff in the 1980’s . We taught in a little school on the number 50 highway and therein lived caring, warm teachers who enjoyed working with joyful children and their cooperative parents. Oh what fun it was in May .. staging the musicals … and even the stormy weather joined us for staging The Wizard of Oz. Thank you for the welcoming , wonderful and creative classroom you provided for the eager beginners.. where we learned to sing in tune with each other .’. and all we ever needed to learn.. we learned in kindergarten”.

with great students and parents .

Donna and Family,

I am very sorry to hear about Norma’s passing. As you remember, when we were children, our families were neighbours in Bolton for many years.

With deepest sympathy,
Paul

May you be comforted by the precious memories you have. Norma was a wonderful teacher and mentor to many of us. I will remember her kind and gentle ways and our fun times together.
My deepest sympathy,
Heather Harrison

Miss Bangay was K teacher to both of my children in the mid 70’s.
They have never, nor will they ever, forget her kind and gentle ways.

I will always remember Norma’s calm, gentle manner and her warm, friendly smile. I feel so fortunate to have known her when I was a new teacher starting out at Palgrave School. What an excellent role model she was, in so many ways. Several years later, Norma welcomed first our daughter and then our son to her kindergarten class. Starting school was so easy in such a caring and interesting learning environment.
Thank you, Norma.

I was saddened to hear of Norma passing.
I first met her when she taught at Castlederg Public School which I believe was her first posting. She taught my sister and my children. She was such an engaging teacher who took such interest in her students. To this day I can remember her warm smile and the twinkle in her eye. Norma had a wonderful calming nature and I am sure there are many of us who will alway be grateful to her.
My thoughts are with all of you

I first met Norma when my children were in her kindergarten class. I also had the priviledge of working with Norma the first year they started to put TA’s in the JK class. After managing by herself for years she always made sure I felt needed in the classroom. Her quiet loving manner with the children was Enviable

Ms Bangay was my very first teacher, back when kindergarten at Palgrave was in the small building (1975). She was a wonderful inspiration for the start of my school career. I can still remember circle time, the smell of the arts and crafts and the very first tests that we had to do in booklets. She will be missed.

This poem was read at the Rebekah Service that the sisters of Humberdale did last eve.
Norma was a wonderful person and will be missed.

To Those I Love
When I am gone, release me, let me go
I have so many things to see and do
You must not tie yourself to me with tears
Be happy that we have had so many years
I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave me in happiness
I thank you for the love each have shown
But now it is time I travelled on alone
So grieve for me awhile, if you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust
It is only for a while that we must part
So bless the memories within your heart
I won’t be far away, for life goes on
If you need me, call and I will come
Though you can’t see or touch me I’ll be near
And if you listen with your heart, you’ll hear
All of my love around you soft and clear and then
When you must come this way alone
I will greet you with a smile and a ‘Welcome Home”

We are all so sad to hear of the passing of our dear Norma. Although I am only her 1st cousin, she was like a sister to me. She mentored me as a single parent and was a very loving and accepting influence on my 2 daughers (Celyn & Dawnyca) who knew her as “Aunt Norma”. We stayed so often in her home. To us it was the Bangay Hotel! Each summer, for several years, we had our holiday there, with our annual treks to the Butterfly Conservatory, Albion Hills Conservation Area, The CNE etc. Each October we looked forward to the drive to Bolton (with my Mom & Dad) to spend Thanksgiving with Norma, Donna & all the kids. I so admired the very close relationship Norma enjoyed with her parents, my Aunt Rena & Uncle Norm and with our Uncle Ross. I loved it when she told me about her growing up years. As Aunt Rena was expecting Norma when Uncle Norm went off to WWII, Norma was almost 5 years old when she met her father for the first time. So she had to learn to accept him. Perhaps that’s how she became so accepting of all people. She was a “safe” person to be with. Norma talked of coming up to our farm at Tara each summer and some of the little “misdemeanors” she was engaged in (that was the Bangay sense of merriment in her). Of course when I was old enough to go down to Bolton for a couple of weeks in the summer I thought I was really living high! We often laughed at some of our memories. I can attribute my love of literature, reading & the arts to Norma. It was she & Aunt Rena who started taking me to the library at a young age, which has stayed with me. However, I can’t say that I share her ability to sew, knit & do crafts. It is wonderful to hear such esteemed comments about Norma’s effect on so many lives, as she lived her life always with the focus on education. Her quiet, unassuming influence is not soon to be over.
Our hearts go out to Donna, Jim, all the kids and her many close friends.
I have every confidence that I shall see Norma again and we’ll have another great talk (I’ll probably still be needing her advice as usual) & a laugh.

Mrs. Bangay was my first teacher. I will never forget how much she cared for her students. I remember her fondly and she will always be an inspiration as a role model for me in my teaching career. A very loving person.
My condolences,
Cathryn Hawboldt
(nee Huggett)

I was sad to have found out that my first teacher that opened her arms and greeted myself and many of other students to the first year of school has passed away. She made the scary first day nerves go away with her heart warmed smile . She will defiantly be missed

We are saddened to hear of the loss of Norma. She was such a lovely person and a dedicated volunteer with the junior section at the Albion Bolton Fall Fair. She will be missed greatly.
Trudy Burnside, Junior Section Director

Miss. Bangay was my kindergarten teacher at Palgrave Public School forty years ago. I remember her kindness and patience. My deepest sympathies for your loss.

Miss Bangay was my first teacher 53 years ago. She taught me grades 1 thru 4 in the junior room at Castlederg. I will always remember her picking me up and returning me to my Grandama Stewart’s house on King Street in Bolton to take me to school from my first day in September 1959 thru January1960 because our farm house had burnt. I have fond memories of her as a teacher. She managed grades one thru four in that junior room at Castlederg paying special attention to each and everyone of us in those very important formative years. She was a wonderful teacher. Thank you Miss Bangay.

I was sorry to hear of Norma’s passing. I taught with Norma in my first year of teaching at Palgrave School in Grade One. She was a big help to me and I appreciate all she helped me with.I taught with Norma in the old school.We had many laughs in the old staffroom in the old school. When it was too cold to go over to the big school. Norma would go out to the adjoining school without her coat on and I wondered why she never got a cold..
I remember how important her sister and her family was to her.She spoke fondly about her sister’s family.You must miss this important family member.
My sympathies are with you at this difficult time.

Rest in Peace dear Miss Bangay….she taught my two daughters at Palgrave School and we often speak her name..My eldest daughter is now 38 and she remembers Miss Bangay helping her correct a lisp she had..A dear dear lady.♥